LA Clippers guard Chris Paul sidelined with injured left thumb

Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul injured his left thumb in MLK Day game against Oklahoma City Thunder.

When the Oklahoma City Thunder traveled to play the Los Angeles Clippers Monday night, it was supposed to feature two of the best point guards in the NBA.

However, things changed in the second quarter of their Martin Luther King Jr. Day game, when Chris Paul left with an injury.

Paul sprained his left thumb, leaving Clippers officials with no choice but to keep him sidelined for the rest of the game.

Things were going good for Paul in the first half. The Clippers took a 64-47 lead into halftime and as usual, CP3 was largely responsible. In only 14 minutes, Paul had eight points, six assists and three rebounds.

At one point this year, “Lob City” was the hottest team in the league. They won 14 of their first 16 games, prompting many to believe they could finally dethrone the Warriors.

However, the good times didn’t last. Over the next 18 games, Los Angeles went 10-8, including a six-game losing streak between Dec. 23 and Dec. 31.

Paul’s injury couldn’t come at a worse time, as the Clippers were finally getting back to their winning ways. Coming into their MLK day game, “Lob City” had won six in a row and remained unbeaten since the New Year started.

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On the season, injuries have continued to plague the LA Clippers. Chris Paul has already missed seven games, and there’s no telling now long he’ll be sidelined with the injured thumb. In addition, Blake Griffin has missed almost a month with a knee injury.

It’s safe to say that if the Clippers want to seriously compete in the West, they will need their stars back as soon as possible.